D-day for fate of £1billion project

Renfrewshire's role in City Deal bid to be debated

The fate of a £1billion scheme that promises to attract thousands of jobs to the Paisley area will be decided tomorrow.

Renfrewshire Council has called a special meeting to discuss its part in the Glasgow and Clyde Valley City Deal bid.

The project has been hailed as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” and sees Renfrewshire join forces with eight other councils in the west of Scotland to call for huge investment from the Scottish and UK governments.

The money would be spent on transport and infrastructure, with work to improve the Renfrew waterfront, including a bridge to Yoker, and a rail link from Paisley to Glasgow Airport included in the plans.

It is expected that 15,000 building jobs would be created, along with a further 28,000 permanent additional roles to work on construction projects.

Renfrewshire council leader Mark Macmillan said: “There has been a lot of hard work by everyone involved to reach this stage and it is essential that Renfrewshire continues to play a leading role and gain from the unique opportunities that the City Deal would offer our community and our economy.

“There is a programme of approximately 20 projects which will deliver on the council’s and the region’s key priorities – boosting jobs and economic growth.

“The proposed Glasgow Airport Investment Zone would build on existing commitments to capitalise on the airport’s economic and employment strengths, including new investment on roads and access to the M8.

“The Glasgow Airport rail link would at last create rail links with Paisley Gilmour Street and the wider rail network.”

Mr Macmillan said Renfrewshire’s importance to the regional and national economy is recognised by the fact the area is set to receive a proportionately-bigger share of the available investment compared to its population share.

He added: “We have come up with the ideas and secured the funding. Now it is time to start delivering and I am confident that Renfrewshire will continue to play a leading role in this ambitious programme.”

As part of the City Bid deal, councils would stump up £130million, while Holyrood and Westminster would each contribute £500million, to be shared out over the next decade.

It is anticipated that public sector funds would attract over £3billion worth of private sector investment.